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Polls for new Stormont assembly Polls for new Stormont assembly
(about 10 hours later)
Voters across Northern Ireland are going to the polls to elect 108 members to a new Stormont assembly.Voters across Northern Ireland are going to the polls to elect 108 members to a new Stormont assembly.
Nearly 250 candidates are standing across 18 constituencies.Nearly 250 candidates are standing across 18 constituencies.
The government hopes the poll will pave the way for a return to devolution. A power-sharing executive is due to be formed on 26 March.The government hopes the poll will pave the way for a return to devolution. A power-sharing executive is due to be formed on 26 March.
Polling stations are open from 0700 GMT until 2200 GMT. Vote counting will begin on Thursday morning and continue on Friday. Polling stations are open until 2200 GMT. Voters are asked to place a number beside the candidates of their choice. Vote counting will begin on Thursday.
There are 46 DUP candidates, 38 Ulster Unionist, 37 Sinn Fein, 35 SDLP and 18 Alliance candidates.There are 46 DUP candidates, 38 Ulster Unionist, 37 Sinn Fein, 35 SDLP and 18 Alliance candidates.
There are also 13 UKUP candidates - which includes the party leader standing in six different constituencies - 13 Green Party, nine Conservative and six Workers Party candidates.There are also 13 UKUP candidates - which includes the party leader standing in six different constituencies - 13 Green Party, nine Conservative and six Workers Party candidates.
ELECTION AT A GLANCE List of candidatesELECTION AT A GLANCE List of candidates
The Make Politicians History Party is fielding the same candidate in the four Belfast constituencies, whilst the Progressive Unionist Party is running three candidates and there are two for the Socialist Party.The Make Politicians History Party is fielding the same candidate in the four Belfast constituencies, whilst the Progressive Unionist Party is running three candidates and there are two for the Socialist Party.
There is one candidate each for the following parties: Labour, People Before Profit, Pro-capitalism, Social Environmental Alliance and UKIP.There is one candidate each for the following parties: Labour, People Before Profit, Pro-capitalism, Social Environmental Alliance and UKIP.
There are 26 independent candidates, which includes six Republican Sinn Fein candidates. They are being treated by the Electoral Office as independents, because they are not registered as a political party.There are 26 independent candidates, which includes six Republican Sinn Fein candidates. They are being treated by the Electoral Office as independents, because they are not registered as a political party.
Voters can use any one of four photographic ID documents:Voters can use any one of four photographic ID documents:
These are:These are:
  • A current Northern Ireland or Great Britain full driving licence or a Northern Ireland provisional licence
  • A current Northern Ireland or Great Britain full driving licence or a Northern Ireland provisional licence
  • A current passport issued by the United Kingdom or any other member state of the European Community
  • A current passport issued by the United Kingdom or any other member state of the European Community
  • A current Senior SmartPass issued under the Northern Ireland Concessionary Fares Scheme
  • A current Senior SmartPass issued under the Northern Ireland Concessionary Fares Scheme
  • A current electoral identity card
  • A current electoral identity card
    The Electoral Office has published the full list of candidates on its website. You can get all the latest results by clicking on the Vote '07 website where you will be able to watch live coverage from count centres across Northern Ireland from midday on Thursday.